Office of the Historian

121. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Brzezinski) to Secretary of State Vance1

Washington, September 24, 1979

When you see Genscher this evening, please convey to him our deep concern over a developing trend in German policy:2

1.
They are not going to meet their 3 percent defense target, and Defense Minister Apel in the Bundestag says that the U.S. won’t either. (Brown sent him a correcting telegram.)3
2.
They are trying to wiggle out of their Tokyo commitment to tight national oil import ceilings, by claiming that North Sea oil does not count against import ceilings. Economics Minister Lambsdorff says the U.S. won’t either. He is wrong. The President has asked Duncan to press Lambsdorff at Paris this week.4

We should make clear to the Germans that the U.S. ability to hold to our commitments in defense and energy depends on the FRG doing the same.

Zbigniew Brzezinski5
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 25, German Federal Republic: 7–9/79. Secret.↩
  2. On September 24, Vance met Genscher in New York, where both leaders attended the 34th Session of the UN General Assembly. Telegrams Secto 8004, 8005, 8006 from Vance, September 25, as well as telegrams Secto 8007, 8008, 8010, 8012, 8013, and 8014 from Vance, September 26, reported on topics covered in their talk. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790439–0726, D790439–0727, D790439–0751, D790439–1235, D790439–1237, D790439–1243, D790439–1246, D790439–1236, P840156–1749)↩
  3. Brown’s telegram to Apel has not been found. During Vance’s September 24 talk with Genscher, he noted that the United States would meet the 3% target and that if other NATO countries failed to do so it would be “particularly difficult” for the United States. Genscher replied that the FRG might be able to increase defense spending and that Apel would be able to explain the situation during his upcoming visit to Washington. (Telegram Secto 8005 from Vance, September 25; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790439–0727)↩
  4. In a September 24 memorandum to Duncan, Brzezinski wrote: “The President has read additional intelligence analysis reporting that the West Germans have steadfastly opposed registering UK North Sea Oil as EC imports but apparently are ready to agree with the U.S. position if pressed. The President wrote, ‘Be sure to press.’ Please inform the President of the action taken.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Brzezinski Office File, Box 14, Germany F R: 8–10/79)↩
  5. Brzezinski signed “Zbig” above this typed signature.↩